E3 2007: The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar - Book X Preview

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Want to learn about the Cloak of the Cluck? Yeah, you know you do.

By David Craddock

"You paid a lot of money for this game," a Turbine rep says as a demo of The Lord of the Rings Online: Book X loads, "so you deserve a lot of content." And a lot of new content is on the way.

The warm response to June's free Book IX: Shores of Evendim expansion was half attributed to all the new content, but also because of the fact that the expansion was absolutely free. "We're planning on releasing new expansions bi-monthly," a Turbine confirmed rep in response to my queries pertaining to how often players could expect free releases.

The primary new addition to Shadows of Angmar by way of Book X is called Session Play. Similar to Monster Play, characters can take on the role of certain creatures such as trolls or chickens--yes, chickens--for a limited period of time for certain quests. The troll creature has a wide array of area-of-effect spells, many of which send creatures flying across the screen as a result of the creature's mighty blows.

The aforementioned role of a chicken can be assumed for as long as six hours, and if certain quests conditions are met while playing as the chicken, players will receive the soon-to-be-revered Cloak of the Cluck, which sprays dozens of feathers in all directions every time players emit a cluck.

Following in Evindim's well-received footsteps, Book X will expand the game world by 10%, according to a Turbine rep. Additionally, over 100 new quests will be added, bringing the overall total to well over 1500. Considering that these expansion packs come rather quickly and are absolutely free, other popular MMOs will have to quite a bit to compete.

The Lord of the Rings Online Book X should be available some time in August.